12 minutes
12979 viewsWhat’s The Best SCORM Сompliant LMS in 2024? [+ Checklist]
12 minutes 12979 views
Here you are, ready to deliver your online courses to learners. You’re likely to know you need a SCORM-compliant learning management system (LMS), but which platform is the best fit? And what does SCORM-compliant mean?
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through some SCORM technical refinements and give you a checklist for making a smart choice in a SCORM LMS. We’ll also provide a quick overview of the best SCORM compliant learning management systems for corporate eLearning to make your selection process easier. Here’s just a quick walkthrough of the article:
- SCORM Explained
- What Is “SCORM Compliant”?
- What Is a SCORM-Compliant LMS?
- How to Choose a SCORM-Compliant LMS — A Checklist
- The 5 Best SCORM-Compliant LMSs
- FAQ on the SCORM Format and SCORM Compliance
SCORM Explained
SCORM stands for The Shareable Content Object Reference Model. It is a set of standards for eLearning software. Thanks to this, a SCORM-compliant LMS runs any SCORM course just like a DVD player will play any DVD disc. So, if a company uses this format and decides to switch to another online learning platform, there’s no need to worry about losing any content, as any other SCORM compliant LMS will recognize it too.
Also read → 17 SCORM Authoring Tools and Software: Choose the Best for You
What Is “SCORM Compliant”?
SCORM compliance stands for technical compatibility. This implies that software supports this format of eLearning content so you can open, edit, or share SCORM compliant courses with it. Basically, you use SCORM eLearning authoring tools or converters to create a SCORM course. As for its delivery to learners, you need a SCORM compliant learning management system. But what is a SCORM-compliant platform? We’ll elaborate on this in more detail below.
What Is a SCORM-Compliant LMS?
A SCORM-compliant LMS is an online platform that adheres to SCORM standards. There are three levels of SCORM compliance:
SCORM compliant
SCORM conformant
or SCORM certified
The difference lies in the number of CMI elements supported, which are commands the SCORM LMS can follow and the types of data it collects.
Three levels of SCORM compliance
Generally, a SCORM-compliant LMS supports basic interaction between courses and the platform, including commands for communication initialization, progress saving, and completion. These solutions meet the needs of most users.
What is “SCORM-conformant”?
SCORM-conformant LMSs support a wider set of CMI elements, allowing a more detailed analysis of the data gathered. For example, assessments published in SCORM 1.2/2004 allow you to obtain detailed question-answer level results. At the same time, not all learning management systems enable this level of support, but this doesn’t mean that they are non-compliant.
Both conformant and compliant mean that an online learning management system supports SCORM standards. It wasn’t confirmed by a third-party certification, but the vendor has most likely performed its own tests.
What is “SCORM-certified”?
SCORM-certified learning management systems provide you with the maximum level of SCORM support. Their compliance is verified by Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL), a third-party organization. Its engineers use special testing tools that allow them to check almost every possible use case for an eLearning course.
Automate corporate training and improve employee performance.
How to Choose a SCORM-Compliant LMS — A Checklist
1. Which SCORM versions are supported? Is there a preferred edition?
It may happen that an LMS supports all editions of SCORM, but works better with a specific edition. For example, an LMS may guarantee the best performance for SCORM 2004 (3rd ed.), despite the fact that all versions of SCORM are supported.
2. What level of SCORM Runtime Environment (RTE) does the LMS support?
There are some “1st tier” data model elements that are the most important and are recognized as the industry norm. The most commonly used elements are:
cmi.completion_status & cmi.success_status cmi.score.scaled
cmi.session_time
cmi.location
cmi.exit
The 2nd tier includes:
interactions
objectives
cmi.progress_measure
There are also some additional data model elements (entry, mode, and credit) that can be referred to as the 3rd tier. Their purpose is to provide learners with the optimal experience.
3. Is the LMS certified by ADL? If not, which SCORM API elements are supported?
4. How long ago was SCORM integrated with the LMS?
The longer ago it was adopted, the less possibility of bugs and raw functionality.
5. Is there a tool for content updates that lets you preserve previous statistics?
6. Is there a content version control system?
7. How is SCORM compliant content imported?
How easy is it? Can you, for instance, upload a SCORM package right from an authoring tool?
8. What kind of reports are available in the LMS for SCORM courses?
9. How does the data from the SCORM course look in the LMS? How are reports presented?
For example, in the form of tables, or is there a more graphic representation?
10. Does the SCORM LMS use Rustici Engine (formerly SCORM Engine)? If not, is there a built-in player for SCORM files?
Having a special player with a navigation panel and close button is a good feature for a SCORM LMS. At the same time, many LMSs, even top ones, don’t have this feature.
11. How is user data submitted to the LMS while viewing courses?
We’d recommend looking for a SCORM player based on JavaScript, because other solutions (say, that connect server-side via PHP) may slow down the course performance. So if a user quickly clicks through the course, the SCORM LMS might not have time to record the progress.
12. Does the LMS open e-courses in a new window?
Numerous pop-ups slow everything down, and users can get lost. If they can’t quickly find a certain window, it’s a problem (especially if it’s a test with limited time).
13. Does the LMS show content statuses depending on the data it gets from the courses? Does the LMS show learners a progress bar?
14. Are there any limits for the size of an uploaded course or the number of elements in each course?
15. Is there a content scaling feature that makes it convenient for users to take courses on smartphones?
If there’s no such feature, the statistics might be incorrect. The courses will send extra data packets when the LMS users seem to be idle, even when they’re not; for example, when they spend a lot of time zooming in and out of a huge non-adaptive slide on their iPhone.
16. Does the LMS require installation of any plugins or extensions?
Some LMSs require you to set up a VPN, sometimes they ultimately need Flash and Silverlight. It’s better when everything works in plain HTML5 and JavaScript.
17. In the event that there are problems on the SCORM LMS side, what debugging mechanism is used?
The reason for asking this question is to find out if the vendor has a detailed plan for data loss, emergencies, or any other unexpected problems.
If there’s no such feature, the statistics might be incorrect. The courses will send extra data packets when the LMS users seem to be idle, even when they’re not; for example, when they spend a lot of time zooming in and out of a huge non-adaptive slide on their iPhone.
The 5 Best SCORM Compliant LMSs
With so many online learning platforms available in the market, it might be difficult to choose an appropriate SCORM compliant LMS. To make life easier for you, we’ve prepared a short list of the best SCORM-compliant learning management systems. Take a look at our brief SCORM LMS overview and see how they compare:
1. iSpring Learn
iSpring Learn is a single training solution for companies of any size, from small and medium businesses to an extended enterprise. It’s an intuitive LMS that has everything you need to train employees effectively and make a business impact: support of various kinds of SCORM compliant content, learning paths, automated training distribution, strong analytics, gamification features, social learning, localization features, and more — all in one system. It’s perfectly suited for various types of learning programs, including blended learning as it also lets you host virtual classes and track the attendance of classroom training.
But its main benefit is that it allows you to go beyond content delivery to achieve training success. For example, with its built-in course creation tool, you can create courses and quizzes in a snap. With a built-in newsfeed, you can keep all employees up to date on company news and product releases. And with the 360-degree performance appraisal module, you can always have a clear picture of your employees’ competencies. All features are easy to use thanks to an extremely intuitive user interface.
Also, the LMS integrates with iSpring Suite, a powerful authoring toolkit that allows you to design your own SCORM courses with advanced quizzes, interactions, role-play simulations, and video tutorials.
Take a look at this demo course created with iSpring Suite:
Get a free trial of iSpring Learn →
2. LearnUpon
LearnUpon is another SCORM LMS that boasts rich functionality in a single system. In addition to the common features, like delivering eLearning courses and tracking learners’ results, you can also create online storefronts to sell your eLearning content. But its most distinctive feature is its “learning portals,” or in other words, multiple LMSs that you can create for training different audiences, but all controlled in one place.
3. SAP Litmos
SAP Litmos is a handy SCORM-compliant LMS for companies that prioritize employee training and development. It has all essential features, allows you to create internal training materials and your own courses right on the platform and offers a large library of off-the-shelf courses for compliance training, leadership training, soft skills development, and more. With Litmos, you can easily integrate with the rest of your ecosystem by choosing out-of-the-box connectors or by building your own with open APIs.
4. Docebo
Docebo presents itself as a learning suite or a single cloud-based LMS platform to support your entire online learning process – from content creation to delivery. It enables you to create eLearning content or choose ready-made online courses and assign them to your learners. Unlike other platforms, Docebo uses AI technologies such as virtual coaching, auto-tagging, and course content suggestions that do some of the hard work for you.
5. Skilljar
Skilljar is an external SCORM-compliant LMS that helps businesses train everyone they deal with, including their customers and partners. It provides you with all eLearning tools you need to onboard, engage, and retain customers and partners at scale. It supports different types of learning content, SCORM, and AICC packages as well. This LMS also allows you to assess learners by creating quizzes right on the platform and issuing certificates after they complete a training.
FAQ on SCORM
Here are some questions a learning manager or eLearning content creators may have and answers to them.
Are all LMSs SCORM compliant?
Pretty much. Almost all LMSs support SCORM content, but there may be exceptions. Some LMS platforms only allow for exporting data in SCORM files, but not importing SCORM packages into the system. However, in most cases, if you have SCORM compliant content, it will work in your LMS.
What are the most common versions of SCORM?
SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 4th and 3rd Edition are the most widely used formats to date.
What are the alternatives to SCORM?
SCORM is the predecessor of the newer eLearning standards: xAPI (Experience API, or Tin Can) and сmi5. These formats allow for more convenient work on mobile devices, more responsive design, and provide detailed statistics. Usually, eLearning authoring tools allow you to create courses in several of these formats.
How can I run a SCORM package?
You can open the package in a SCORM LMS that has an inbuilt SCORM player or in your web browser. Or you can unzip the SCORM files and find the one with your learning materials that might be named something like index.html or story_html5.html.
How do I edit SCORM packages?
If you have a source (project) file of a SCORM course, you can open it with a SCORM- compliant authoring tool and make changes to the eLearning content at any time.
Is it possible host a SCORM packages without a SCORM LMS?
Yes, it is possible to host SCORM packages without an LMS. You can use a web server or a cloud-based hosting service to upload and serve the SCORM files. However, without an SCORM compliant LMS, you will not have access to features such as user tracking, reporting, and course management that are typically provided by a SCORM LMS.
The Bottom Line: SCORM and iSpring Learn
As you can see, to make an informed choice of a SCORM-compliant solution, you’ll have to dive deep into the technical nuts and bolts. If you don’t want to get lost, keep in mind three major questions:
What SCORM version do you use (or plan to use) for your current eLearning content?
Does your authoring tool really create SCORM-compliant courses?
What level of SCORM support do you expect from a platform?
iSpring Learn is a SCORM-compliant solution that supports SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004. One of its key benefits in terms of SCORM compliance is a fully-integrated authoring tool. It allows you to easily create SCORM content, upload it right to an LMS in a few clicks, and get extended statistics reports. Feel free to find out how it works by getting a free trial!
